The EPA takes water samples fortnightly from the end of May to the middle of September and water quality is classified as excellent, good, sufficient or poor.

The overall quality of Ireland’s bathing waters is good, the report finds, with 132 of 142 bathing waters identified as either ‘sufficient’, ‘good’ or ‘excellent.’

Swimming restrictions will be in place for all of the 2018 bathing season spanning from 1 June to 15 September.

Restrictions at Rush beach in 2016 Photo: Niall Sargent

The annual water quality for both Rush South and Loughshinny beach is found to have been poor since 2014 and Do Not Swim restrictions were in place at both beaches last summer due to the suspected presence of sewage in the water.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advised that swimming should be prohibited till microbial levels return to normal.

One of the possible causes of pollution at Loughshinny beach is discharge coming from the septic tank serving the area. This is for primary treatment only and discharges to the Irish Sea.

Irish Water is investing €3 million in a project to improve the quality of the bathing water. The project is due to be completed in the first half of 2019.

The project involves the construction of a new pumping station and the decommissioning of the Loughshinny septic tank.

Commenting on the project John Joyce, Infrastructure Programme Regional Lead, said: “This project will benefit residents and visitors to Loughshinny as it will stop the discharge of untreated wastewater from entering the sea.

Irish Water was recently prosecuted by the EPA for breaching surface water and waste-water discharge regulations at three tourist destinations and was fined a total of €9,000.

The prosecution was brought after Irish Water failed to carry out improvements at Castletownbere and Castletownshend in Co Cork and at Kilfenora in the Burren region of Co Clare.

About the Author

Aoife Cusack

Aoife is a final year journalism and Irish student at DCU. She appreciates the environment, the Irish language and a good cup of coffee.